See you in my rearview, sir.
It is possible to commute with a 30mpg car with a/c that can wax most yuppie challengers with only 2.0L of displacement and ulltra-minimal maintence costs. It isn't some Al's SS beater, but is fun. Don't give up on beating people down...that isn't cool. Giving up on going out to the "races" is perfectly acceptable.